Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Local Authority Funding

9:00 pm

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 859: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received correspondence from a council (details supplied); the steps he has taken to address the issues raised in this correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48601/09]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I have responded to the correspondence in question which concerned the allocation of monies to South Dublin County Council from the Local Government Fund.

General purpose grants from the Local Government Fund are provided to supplement the income available to local authorities from local sources and from specific grants to enable them to provide an acceptable level of day to day services. South Dublin County Council's general purpose grant allocation for 2010 is €24,289,702, a reduction of 1.6% on the amount allocated in 2009.

The revenue base of local authorities has been broadened by the introduction of the charge on non-principal private residences. The total raised by South Dublin County Council from this charge in 2009 was some €2m. This charge is being collected and the income retained by local authorities. I consider this to be a very significant development as it will reduce the dependency of local authorities on central funding.

In Budget 2010 the Government announced a reduction in pay rates across the public service. This will result in payroll savings accruing to the local government sector in 2010. Local authorities, including South Dublin County Council, are to retain 65% of the payroll savings to be realised in their authority in 2010.

It is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to locally identified needs. I am satisfied that the level of funding provided to South Dublin County Council makes a significant contribution towards enabling them to provide a reasonable level of services to the public.

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